Democrats react to 5th Amendment plea

From NBC's Ken StricklandDemocratic Sens. Pat Leahy and Chuck Schumer expressed disappointment upon learning today's news that Monica Goodling, counsel to the attorney general, will plead the Fifth Amendment and not testify before the Judiciary Committee regarding the US attorneys controversy. "It is disappointing that Ms. Goodling has decided to withhold her important testimony from the Committee as it pursues its investigation into this matter, but everybody has the constitutional right not to incriminate themselves with regard to criminal conduct," Leahy, the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said in a statement. "The American people are left to wonder what conduct is at the base of Ms. Goodling's concern that she may incriminate herself in connection with criminal charges if she appears before the Committee under oath."

Schumer added, "We are disappointed that we won't hear Ms. Goodling's testimony at the Judiciary Committee hearing, particularly given her two roles as senior member of Attorney General's team and liaison to the White House. Each day brings new developments making it even more imperative to find out what happened."